C/D Overview:

The cartoonish styling is gone, replaced by a body that’s wider, lower, and longer. Clearly, VW is courting male buyers. Base versions get a lackluster five-cylinder, a punchy and fuel-sipping diesel is offered in the TDI, and the GTI’s excellent 2.0-liter turbo is also available.

Highs

Lows

Standard five-cylinder engine is a dull appliance; when equipped with the GTI’s engine, it costs as much as the more practical GTI; some still think of the Beetle as a “chick” car.

What's New

Redesigned for 2012; there’s a Fender Edition sound and appearance package and a new turbo-diesel option for 2013.

Behind The Wheel

It’s quick with the turbo. Near GTI levels of steering feel. Like the Jetta with which it shares a platform, it’s slightly less refined, composed, and solid-feeling than the rest of the Volkswagen lineup.

Rollover Note: Dynamic (moving) test results (Tip or No Tip) and measured rollover-related properties determine vehicle's risk of rollover in single vehicle crash and its rollover rating. The Rollover Resistance Rating utilizes a "fishhook" maneuver which is a series of abrupt turns at varying speeds to see how "top-heavy" a vehicle is.